Art classes to benefit LACP again

Jim Niehoff, project foreman for the Lumberyard Arts Center, walks away from the back of a truck filled with more items removed from the historic building. Nationally known artist Tricia Spencer will be in town this month to teach painting classes to benefit the project again.

Nationally known artist and teacher Tricia Spencer will return to Baldwin City this month to teach classes again. Proceeds from the classes go to the Lumberyard Arts Center Project.

"What's going on in Baldwin City with the lumberyard is unbelievable," said Spencer. "You just don't see that happening around the country."

Efforts have been under way for years to restore the historic lumberyard building to a center for the arts. Currently, the building has been raised from supports to allow for a concrete floor to be poured.

When Spencer taught classes here in the past, the lumberyard was the setting. However, the renovations have moved the classes to the Baldwin City Public Library.

Her first class, "Acrylics and Mixed Media," will be from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 22 and Sept. 24. It is for ages 8 through 10 and costs $20 for one session and $35 for both.

"This is an exciting opportunity which allows students the opportunity to experiment and learn to express themselves in a two-dimensional medium," she said. "Exploration into the expressive nature of color, composition and content will be part of the creative journey students will experience in these classes."

"Intermediate Acrylics" will be taught from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 23 and Sept. 25. It is for ages 11 through 15 and costs are the same.

"This class will allow students in this age group to explore more deeply the content and composition of their subjects," said Spencer. "Students will be working Plein Air - painting outside - and with Still Life."

Registration for those classes can be done by calling Diane Niehoff at (785)766-0218. Classes will be limited to 15 students.

Plein Air - Spencer's specialty - will also be taught Sept. 20-21 and Sept. 27-28. On those Saturdays, the classes will be from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and on the Sundays they will be from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. The classes will be taught at various locations in Baldwin City and Vinland.

"Beginning and professional artists will have the opportunity to share their creative experiences as they work in the wonderful light that plays through the city streets of Baldwin City and the historic buildings of Vinland," she said.

Those classes are offered through the Lawrence Art Center. Registration can be done through lawrenceartcenter.com or by calling (785)843-2787.